Quality Improvement of Water Jet Cutting - Results of a Concerted Action

This paper is based on a Concerted Action (CA), which was carried out by a consortium of 31 partners in the frame of the European research programme BRITE EURAM. Aim of the support of the EU was to support the co-ordination of research activities, which were carried out by the partners. Research was not paid, but the coordination. The project started in January ‘1994 and was finished in December 1996. The paper will give an overview of the structure of the project, the work programme as well as selected results. The central aim of this Concerted Action was to improve the quality that can be achieved by abrasive water jets to provide a tool for final contour cutting especially for difficult-to-machine materials/parts. The quality of the cutting result is a topic of common interest for all users, manufacturers and researchers. Many of them had investigated aspects, which influence the quality of cut. The exchange of these experience as well as the coordination of research activities multiplied the effort of each partner and supported water jet technology in general. In the beginning of the project quality criteria were discussed to describe the quality of cut. Experience concerning quality criteria as well as parameters which influence the quality of cut were exchanged and discussed. Quality criteria and standard parameter were chosen to characterise the quality of the cutting result. Working groups (WGS) were found to run parallel R&D activities in relation to the main parameters that influence the quality of the cutting result. The specific results of the WGS were combined, so that every WG could benefit from the results of other WGS. The CA was always open for new partners who were interested to participate. National co-oidinators disseminated non-confidential activities and results of the CA and recruited new partners.